Nicolas Kasanda wa Mikalay (July 7, 1939 – September 22, 1985), popularly known as
Docteur Nico, was a
guitarist,
composer and one of the pioneers of
soukous music. He was born in
Mikalayi, Kasai province in the
Belgian Congo. He graduated in 1957 as a technical teacher, but inspired by his musical family, he took up the guitar and in time became a virtuoso soloist.